Fast Track: Genesis to Revelation

Transcription

1 Welcome to Fast Track! This study is going to guide you through Genesis to Revelation, it is my prayer that you will not only develop a better understanding of God s Word, and also begin to track along with the principle figures, major events and thematic movements of scripture. Before we begin, I want to share some helpful information about the different elements we will share during this study. Introduction Each week, we ll begin with an overview of the week s topic. The goal of this content is to introduce you to the content we ll study in the coming week. Framing the Story This is our discussion starter each week, and designed to familiarize you with the specific themes of the session and become comfortable with the discussion. Sketch It Out This section is designed for you to sketch and complete the icons (simple drawings that illustrate the stories) for each week. The nine numbered items highlight some of the main teaching points each week and can be used to process with your group what you have heard and how you were affected. You may also want to jot down specific notes that were particularly meaningful to you. Group Track This time serves as the primary discussion moment for you and participants in your group each week. During this time you will process what has been shared, and share experiences, thoughts, understandings, and prayers. Back Track This time is designed to provide you with the opportunity to talk about what God has been revealing to you or what insights have resulted from your personal time with God during the week. Personal Track These instructions are provided to give you an opportunity to go a little deeper in private devotionals with God. During your next group gathering, you may want to share some of what you ve learned with your group.

2 Introduction: Genesis-Exodus The best way to find out if you can trust somebody is to trust them. - Ernest Hemingway If a good relationship is based on honesty, and honesty is based on trust, which relationships in your life are strong and healthy? Which need some work or repair? Are any of your relationships suffering because of lack of trust? It would do us all good if we evaluated our friendships on a regular basis. Instead of reacting to a relationship gone wrong, we would all be wiser to assess our relationships before they go wrong. We could see where communication could improve or which love language to use or when our actions inadvertently caused mistrust, strain, or fracture. Being proactive is always better than being reactive. We can build on what s important without suffering relationship losses due to carelessness and inattention. And what about our relationship with God? As we navigate through this broken world, there is a desire within us to lean on the Divine for comfort. This week I want to introduce you to early accounts of God and humanity. Look at the trust factor between the Creator and the Creation and understand how this relationship was shattered all because of a simple lack of trust. Watch how God deals with a self-trusting world and witness how humanity comes to terms with the new reality of good and evil. Framing the Story There are some traditional vocations that assume a public trust banker, politician, doctor, and pastor. Think about famous individuals who have violated the public trust in the past. What did they do and how did your view of them change? What are some natural responses or feelings associated with a lack of trust?

3 Sketch It Out: Iconic Points 1. God created and said, It is good. 2. God said, Trust me. But Adam and Eve didn t, and evil and death came into the world. 3. Noah trusted God. And God sent a rainbow and a promise, I am reliable. 4. God provided a new world, but the people refused to enjoy it. 5. When Abram had totally given up, God showed up. And Abram trusted. 6. Jacob didn t want to wait on God. He took things into his own hands. 7. God was always with Joseph. What you intended for evil, God intended for good. 8. God appeared to Moses in a burning bush. I AM will go with you. 9. Those who trusted God were spared death. And a covenant relationship was formed.

4 Group Track This time serves as the primary discussion moment for you and participants in your group each week. During this time you will process what has been shared, and share experiences, thoughts, understandings, and prayers. THE GARDEN 1. In the beginning, God did not sin-proof the garden of Eden. Why? 2. How have you experienced God pursuing you even when your relationship with Him wasn't the best? 3. How do you need to work on your end of the mutual trust relationship you have with God? 4. What actions or attitudes do you need to change to show that you are trustworthy? Prayers: God, take me back to where we began our journey together. I want to be reminded of how awesome you are! Amen. BABEL 1. Think of a time when you felt far from God because you quit trusting Him. How did you cope? 2. If you met someone today in a similar situation, what advice would you give to point him or her in the right direction based on your personal experience? 3. A self-centered pattern of behavior can place many different kinds of obstacles or roadblocks between God and us. What obstacle or roadblock do you most commonly face? 4. How does it affect your ability to trust God? 5. What is the one thing you can do or change today that would help you develop the virtue of humility? Prayers: God, help me to trust you more. Show me how and remind me to pursue humility. I do not want pride to get in the way of my relationship with you. Amen. JACOB'S WRESTLING MATCH 1. In the world of leadership development, there's a school of thought that if a strength is overplayed, it will become a weakness. Have your strengths ever gotten in the way of your relationship with God? Explain.

5 2. In what ways have you developed your strengths to advance your place in life? 3. In what ways are you aggressively cooperating with God to accomplish life? 4. Think about the areas of your life you are handling in your own power. How is that exposing you in the long run? 5. What are you trusting God to accomplish in your life totally apart from your own power and strength? Prayers: God, help me to rely upon your strength, not mine. Show me where I am trusting in myself more than in you. Amen. JOSEPH'S SECRET FOR TRUSTING GOD 1. Consider some of the literary tragedies of centuries past: Victor Hugo's Les Miserable, Shakespeare's Richard Ill, or Romeo and Juliet. What makes a tragedy a real tragedy? 2. Consider your life as a literary work. Will it end up a tragedy? Is there a past or present experience that you have refused to give to God? What would it take for you to respond like Joseph did? 3. Take some time today to verbally affirm God's goodness in your life. Prayers: God, help me trust you beyond my own strength, power, and wisdom. Show me how to finish strong in life without neglecting you. Amen. MOSES AND THE BURNING BUSH 1. When was the last time God interrupted your daily routine to get your attention? 2. What other gods do you depend on (status, appearance, approval of others, money, etc.)? 3. How has trusting God in the little things in life helped you trust Him in the big things, too? 4. Looking back on your journey, write about a situation in which God required you to participate and obey in trust. Prayers: God, remind me of how trustworthy you are today. Give me a glimpse and help me find the path that leads me to you. Amen. Back Track What personal goals do you have for this study? What do you hope to gain through learning about the power of God s grace from beginning to end from Genesis to Revelation?

6 What scriptures do you want to remember from today s lesson?